Lloyd Z Martin

US Patent:

51222183, Jun 16, 1992

Filed:

Jun 18, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/539183

Inventors:

John K. Lapp - New Holland PA
Lloyd M. Martin - Ephrata PA
Lloyd J. Glick - Bird-In-Hand PA

Assignee:

Quality Fencing & Supply, Inc. - New Holland PA

International Classification:

B32B 3100

US Classification:

156350

Abstract:

This invention is directed to apparatus, and to the method for crimping and sealing the end of a thin walled, inflexible plastic tubing member, such as made from vinyl, PVC and the like, where such end preferably exhibits a uniquely configured end design in the shape of an arrowhead. The apparatus includes a frame having mounted thereon a carousel for operating in an intermittent, rotational mode among plural operating stations arranged in a circular sequence. The stations are arranged sequentially to receive the tubular plastic member, heat one end thereof to a preferred temperature between about 200. degree. to 212. degree. F. for a period of about 5 to 15 secounds, apply a plastic compatible adhesive to the inner wall of the heated one end, and crimp and seal said one end by applying a compressive force to the one end to bring opposing walls thereof into sealing engagement, while maintaining such compressive force for a sufficient time to effect the sealing of the one end. To effect the crimping and sealing on a continuous basis, plural molding stations are arranged along a reciprocating rail, where said rail is tangentially arranged relative to the rotating carousel. By the use of a suitable microprocessor, the intermittent rotation and work of the carousel may be synchronized with the reciprocating rail to bring each of the plural molding stations in a predetermined sequence into registry with the crimp and seal station.